Washington ESD weekly job search requirement - how many jobs per week for unemployment?
I just started collecting unemployment and I'm confused about the job search requirements. How many jobs do I need to apply for each week to keep getting my benefits? I heard it was 3 but someone told me it might be more now. I don't want to mess up my claim by not doing enough job searches. Also, do they actually check this or is it just on the honor system? Any help would be appreciated!
50 comments


Yara Elias
You need to complete 3 job search activities per week to maintain your Washington ESD benefits. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or completing approved training. Make sure you keep detailed records of all your activities because Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.
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Connor Byrne
•Thanks! Do online applications count the same as in-person applications?
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Yara Elias
•Yes, online applications definitely count. Just make sure you document the company name, position, date, and method of contact in your job search log.
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QuantumQuasar
I think it depends on your situation. When I was on standby status I didn't have to do any job searches, but regular UI requires the 3 weekly activities. Are you on regular unemployment or some other type?
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Connor Byrne
•I'm on regular unemployment, not standby. Just got laid off from my warehouse job last month.
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Keisha Jackson
•Yeah standby is different - that's for people who expect to be called back to work. Regular UI definitely requires the job search activities.
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Paolo Moretti
They absolutely do check! I got selected for a job search audit last year and had to provide documentation for 6 weeks worth of activities. Washington ESD will ask for employer names, contact information, dates, and proof of your applications. Keep everything organized or you could face a disqualification.
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Amina Diop
•What kind of proof did they want? Screenshots of online applications?
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Paolo Moretti
•They wanted confirmation emails, screenshots of submitted applications, business cards from job fairs, anything that proved I actually did the activities I claimed.
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Oliver Weber
•This is why I always print out or screenshot everything immediately after applying. Better safe than sorry.
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Natasha Romanova
I was struggling with this too until I found Claimyr. I kept getting disconnected when trying to call Washington ESD to clarify the job search requirements. Claimyr helped me get through to an actual agent who explained everything clearly. Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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NebulaNinja
•How much does that cost? I'm already struggling financially.
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Natasha Romanova
•It's way cheaper than potentially losing your benefits over confusion. The peace of mind was worth it for me.
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Javier Gomez
•I might try this, I've been calling Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication and can never get through.
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Keisha Jackson
The 3 activities per week is correct, but make sure they're legitimate job search activities. Washington ESD has a specific list of what counts. Just browsing job websites without applying doesn't count, but attending virtual job fairs or networking events do.
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Connor Byrne
•Where can I find the full list of what activities count?
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Keisha Jackson
•It's on the Washington ESD website under job search requirements. WorkSourceWA also has good information about approved activities.
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Emma Wilson
ugh why is this so complicated? I just want to collect my benefits until I find work. seems like they make it hard on purpose
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Yara Elias
•The requirements are there to encourage active job searching. It's actually not that complicated once you get into a routine.
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Emma Wilson
•i guess but im stressed about messing something up and losing my benefits
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Malik Thomas
•I feel you on that stress. Just document everything and you'll be fine.
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Isabella Oliveira
I keep a spreadsheet with all my job search activities. Date, company, position, method of application, and any follow-up. Makes it super easy when I need to reference something or if I get audited.
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Amina Diop
•That's a great idea! Do you use any specific template?
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Isabella Oliveira
•Just a basic Excel sheet with columns for all the required info. Nothing fancy but it keeps me organized.
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Ravi Kapoor
Be careful about quality vs quantity. I was doing exactly 3 activities per week but they were all low-effort online applications. When I got audited, the agent suggested I diversify my search methods - mix online apps with networking, job fairs, etc.
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Connor Byrne
•Did you get in trouble for only doing online applications?
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Ravi Kapoor
•No trouble, but they encouraged me to broaden my approach. The goal is to actually find work, not just meet minimum requirements.
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Freya Larsen
I used Claimyr twice when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about my job search requirements and it worked perfectly both times. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting hung up on. Definitely recommend it if you need to clarify anything with an actual agent.
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GalacticGladiator
•How long did it take to get connected?
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Freya Larsen
•Usually within a few hours during business days. Much faster than trying to call directly.
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Omar Zaki
Don't forget about WorkSourceWA! They have workshops and events that count toward your job search requirements. Plus they're free and actually helpful for improving your job search skills.
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Connor Byrne
•Do I need to register with WorkSourceWA separately?
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Omar Zaki
•Yes, you should register with WorkSourceWA. It's part of the overall job search process and they have resources that can really help.
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Chloe Taylor
•I got my current job through a WorkSourceWA workshop connection. Definitely worth checking out.
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Diego Flores
Just want to confirm - it's 3 job search activities per week, every week you claim benefits. Missing this requirement can result in a disqualification, so don't skip weeks even if you think you might have a job lined up.
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Anastasia Ivanova
•What happens if you get disqualified for not doing job searches?
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Diego Flores
•You'd lose benefits and potentially have to repay some of what you received. You can appeal but it's better to just follow the requirements.
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Sean Murphy
I was skeptical about using Claimyr at first but honestly it saved me so much frustration. I had questions about whether certain activities counted for my job search requirement and couldn't get through to Washington ESD on my own. The agent I spoke to through Claimyr was super helpful and cleared everything up.
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StarStrider
•Did they help you understand the specific requirements for your situation?
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Sean Murphy
•Exactly! They explained which activities would count best for my field and how to document everything properly.
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Zara Malik
The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD wants to see genuine effort to find work. The 3 activities per week is the minimum, but if you're just going through the motions without really trying to get hired, that could be a problem during an audit.
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Connor Byrne
•How would they know if I'm genuinely trying vs just meeting the minimum?
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Zara Malik
•They look at patterns - are you applying for appropriate jobs in your field, following up on applications, attending relevant events? It's about showing a sincere job search effort.
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Luca Marino
•This is good advice. I always try to apply for jobs I'd actually want, not just random postings.
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Nia Davis
Remember that networking events, job fairs, and informational interviews all count as job search activities too. Don't limit yourself to just online applications - there are lots of ways to meet the requirement.
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Mateo Perez
•Do virtual networking events count the same as in-person ones?
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Nia Davis
•Yes, virtual events count as long as they're legitimate professional networking opportunities.
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Aisha Rahman
Bottom line: 3 job search activities per week, document everything, and actually try to find work. Washington ESD does audit these requirements, so don't risk your benefits by cutting corners. The requirements exist for a reason and they're not that hard to meet if you stay organized.
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Connor Byrne
•Thanks everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about meeting the requirements now.
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CosmicCrusader
•Good luck with your job search! The requirements might seem annoying but they actually do help keep you focused on finding work.
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